More Photos of Enlow Fork

The Enlow Fork Mine is an ugly thing, and though it's several miles from the reserve, you can hear it occasionally as its screeching machines whine eerily over hill and dale. I wish I had a panoramic camera for the second photo, because in the near foreground and to the left was a flock of sheep feeding on a hillside, and a bit to the right was a cemetery in the shadow of "those dark, satanic mills."

Enlow Fork reserve is maintained as a state game land, but it owes its existence to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, too. Apparently Consol Energy donated the land in the 80s; they must have been done with it.

The array of colors at Enlow Fork is remarkable, and the blue-eyed Mary (pictured in the previous post) is relatively rare.

Getting to this place is another question altogether. This blog doesn't typically lay out hiking destinations with trail descriptions and locations. (My days as the tour guide of the forest are behind me.) But since I'm sure to forget how to get to Enlow Fork, and since I'll want to return here someday, I list the driving directions below.

From I-70, take exit 11 and get onto 221 south for about 7 miles.

When 221 meets 18 south, follow 18 as it wends among horse farms several miles to route 231.

Turn right (north) onto 231 and head toward W. Findley; after a short distance, 231 bears right, but continue straight onto the unmarked state route 3026, which will lead past the above coal mine.

Where 3026 crosses Ackley Creek Road, go straight through the intersection and cross a rickety, one lane bridge. Follow the road uphill for about a mile and a half, then make a very sharp right onto a gravel road marked with a "state game lands" sign.

This road meanders beneath the coal mine's equivalent to a rollercoaster, or a waterless waterpark ride. It's a long, large, covered conveyor belt with attendant machine monsters. Follow this little lane downhill all the way to a small parking area where the road ends. The trailhead is about 18 miles from where you exited the Interstate.

Welcome to paradise.